Fence/railing post cap system

ABSTRACT

A fence/railing post cap system for mounting onto a fence/railing post is provided. The fence/railing post cap system includes a post having a cross-section such that a hollow cavity is defined therein. A stake is disposed within the hollow cavity of the fence post and a mounting block is configured to be connected to the stake. The mounting block includes a mounting block body portion, a flange, a first substantially planar surface opposite to the flange, and a second substantially planar surface associated with the flange. A base is configured to be positioned on the post to conceal the mounting block from view.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/502,071, filed Sep. 30, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/660,542 filed Mar. 1, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,907, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/209,659 filed on Mar. 10, 2009, the complete disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference and the priority of each of which is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Residential decks require a railing system, which includes railing posts. The caps for the posts have traditionally been strictly ornamental, or in some rare cases include a light fixture. Fence/railing post cap system described herein, turn the ornamental post cap into a useful element.

An object of the present invention is to provide for removal of the cap from the post and for storage of the cap in a vertical position to expose a cup, a bottle or like article holder.

Another object is to provide such a system wherein the cap has a hole in the top of the cap that is plugged by a decorative plug/ornament that hides the hole when the cap is being used simply as a cap or cover for the post.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a walled extension projecting normally downwardly which acts as a pole holder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an accessory structure mounted on the top end of the pole such as a party tray, serving bowl, chip/dip tray, birdbath, birdhouse, birdfeeder, flower pot, etc.

Another object is to provide such a system which is both ornamental and functional.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other objects, according to an aspect of the present invention a fence/railing post cap system is provided for mounting on the top of a fence/railing post, the post having a predetermined cross-section and a hollow cavity therein, the system comprising: a base defining a bottom member for positioning onto the fence post top and at least one side wall extending normally upwardly from the bottom member to form an interior hollow space; the bottom member defining a walled extension projecting normally downwardly, the extension defining a closed lower end and an open upper end opening into the interior hollow space; a plurality of leg members extending normally downwardly from the base; means in operative relationship with the leg members for holding the base in predetermined relationship with the post; and a cap sized and configured for removable positioning onto the base.

According to another aspect of the invention, a fence/railing post cap system for mounting onto a fence/railing post is provided. The fence/railing post cap system includes a mounting block configured to be connected to a stake received within a hollow cavity of a post, the mounting block including a main body portion, a flange extending from the main body portion, a first substantially planar surface opposite to the flange, and a second substantially planar surface associated with the flange. The system further includes a base configured to at least partly receive and be connected to the mounting block to conceal the mounting block from view, the base including an accessible hollow interior space configured to accommodate reception of a beverage container or pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the post cap system of this invention mounted onto a fence/railing post;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the system of FIG. 1 but with the closure element on the cap removed to show a centrally located opening within the cap;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fence/railing post cap system showing a pole removably positioned through the centrally located opening within the cap and further showing an accessory structure mounted on the top end of the pole, which accessory structure in this illustration is a flower pot with flowers therein;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the fence/railing post cap system with the cap removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system showing the cap attached to the base in a vertically stored position and showing a bottle positioned within the base;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the system shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a view as shown in FIG. 6 but showing an alternative structure for holding the base in predetermined relationship with the fence/railing post;

FIG. 8 is a view as shown in FIG. 6 but showing the cap closure element removed and showing a pole positioned within the base and extending upwardly through the centrally located opening within the cap;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the system shown in FIG. 6 but with the cap removed from the base;

FIG. 10 is a detailed diagrammatic view showing the embodiment of a structure for holding the base in predetermined relationship with the fence/railing post, as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of an alternative configuration of the system wherein the cap is not provided with a centrally located opening therein and wherein the cap is positioned above the base prior to being placed onto the base;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the system mounted on the top of a solid fence/railing post and with the cap removed;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the fence/railing post cap system showing the cap attached to the base in a vertically stored position and further showing a beverage can positioned within the base;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fence/railing post cap system incorporating a mounting block according to a first configuration of another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the fence/railing post cap system of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fence/railing post cap system incorporating a mounting block according to a second configuration of another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fence/railing post cap system of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a fence/railing post cap system 10 for mounting onto the top 12 of a fence/railing post 14, wherein post 14 has a predetermined cross-section and a hollow cavity 16 therein.

System 10 includes a base 18 which defines a bottom member 20 for positioning onto fence post top 12. See FIG. 6. Base 18 defines at least one side wall 22 extending normally upwardly from bottom member 20 to form an interior hollow space 24.

Bottom member 20 defines a hollow walled extension 26 projecting normally downwardly, and extension 26 defines a closed lower end 28 and an open upper end 30 opening into interior hollow space 24. Space 24 and extension 26 are dimensioned to enable a conventional beverage container to be placed within space 24 and to rest on bottom member 20 without falling into extension 26.

A plurality of leg members 32 or 32′ extend normally downwardly from base 18, and means 34 or 34′ are provided in operative relationship with leg members 32 or 32′ for holding base 18 in predetermined relationship with post 14.

A cap 36 or 36′ is sized and configured for removable positioning onto base 18.

Cap 36 includes a top 38 and at least one rim 40 extending normally downwardly from top 38, and rim 40 defines a plurality of inwardly facing protuberances 42. A side wall 22 of base 18 defines a plurality of outwardly facing concave dimples 44, and protuberances 42 and dimples 44 are sized, configured and positioned for enabling protuberances 42 to snap-fit into dimples 44 for holding cap 36 in position on base 18.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, cap top 38 defines a centrally located opening 46 therein. A closure element 48 is sized and configured for removable positioning within centrally located opening 46. Closure element 48 includes a decorative plug 50 and a nut 52 which threadably engages plug 50 to retain the plug in position within centrally located opening 46. A second invention embodiment provides a cap 36′ without a centrally located opening therein, and another embodiment eliminates hollow walled extension 26.

System 10 further includes a pole 54 having a bottom end 56 and a top end 58. Pole 54 is sized and configured for removable positioning through centrally located opening 46 when closure element 48 has been removed from opening 46 and for positioning within and support by walled extension 26. An accessory structure 60 is mounted on top end 58 of pole 54.

Post 14 typically has a conventional substantially square cross-section, and base 18 preferably defines four side walls 22 orthogonally connected together. Likewise, leg members 32, 32′ are preferably four in number and are orthogonally connected together.

Post 14 has a plurality of openings 62 within sides of post 14, and holding means 34 include a plurality of projections 64 extending inwardly from leg members 32 for engaging post openings 62 to hold base 18 in fixed relationship with post 14. See FIGS. 6 and 8.

When fence/railing post 14 is a hollow, open-topped post, holding means 34′ include a plurality of normally substantially horizontal alternating ridges and grooves 66 positioned inwardly on leg members 32 and a plurality of spring loaded clips 68 fixedly pressed onto tops 12 of post walls 14 with their spring loaded action, clips 68 each having a barb 74 that bites into the interior of the post wall to hold the clips in place and make it very difficult to remove. Each clip 68 also has a tongue 70 extending normally downwardly at a slight angle for engaging ridges and grooves 66 to hold base 18 in fixed position with respect to post 14. See FIGS. 7 and 10.

If post 14 is a solid post, such as a wood post, system 10 includes a plurality of fastening members 72, such as screws, for connecting base 18 to post top 12. See FIG. 12.

In use, base 18 is typically installed on either an existing hollow pvc sleeve type post or a solid wooden post. On the pvc installation, the installer would find the center point of each of the four sides of the pvc post 14. The installer would then measure down a predetermined distance from top 12 edge of post 14 and then drill a hole 62 of predetermined size. Projections 64 on legs 32 would snap into drilled holes or openings 62 to hold base 18 in fixed position on post 14 without use of any other hardware.

An alternative method of installation on an existing pvc sleeve type post would be to provide legs 32′ without projections 64 but with a plurality of normally substantially horizontal alternating ridges and grooves 66 positioned inwardly on each leg member 32′. Four spring loaded clips 68 would be pressed onto the top of the four sides of the pvc post with their spring loaded action. Barbs 74 would bite into the pvc post interior to further hold clip 68 in place and make it very difficult to remove. The outside of each clip 68 would contain a metal tongue 70 protruding downwardly at a slight angle. The downwardly protruding metal tongue 70 would engage the inside of leg member 32′ as base 18 is pressed downwardly onto post 14, and tongue 70 would engage ridges and grooves 66 to firmly hold base 18 in place on top of post 14.

Another alternative method of installation of base 18 would be to manufacture leg members 32 without having projections 64. In this configuration, the installer would simply screw through the four sides of the leg members 32 to fasten them to the sides of post 14 once base 18 is positioned onto the top 12 of post 14.

If the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is to be installed on a solid post made of wood or other material, a circular hole is drilled into the center of top 12 of post 14 a predetermined depth. The circular hole should be dimensioned to receive extension 26. Projections 64 would then act as spacers between leg members 32 and the sides of wood post 14 to insure that base 18 is centered on the post. Base 18 is fastened to the top of wood post 14, preferably with stainless steel wood screws 72 installed through bottom member 20 of base 18 and into top 12 of wood post 14. See FIG. 12.

Each of caps 36, 36′ has a plurality of protuberances 42 on the inside of rims 40. Matching concave dimples 44 on side wall 22 of base 18 allow caps 36, 36′ to be firmly held in place on top of base 18 by snapping protuberances 42 into dimples 44. This will hold caps 36, 36′ in position on base 18 but will allow caps 36, 36′ to be removed from base 18 when it is desired to use base 18 as a cup holder by positioning the cup or other object into interior hollow space 24 of base 18 to rest on bottom member 20.

When caps 36, 36′ are removed from base 18, the protuberances/dimple system will allow the caps to hang off one side of base 18 in a vertical position to allow for storage of the caps while base 18 is in use as a cup holder. This is accomplished by snap fitting protuberances 42 into corresponding dimples 44, as shown in FIG. 13.

When it is desired to use pole 54 and accessory structure 60, cap 36 with centrally located opening 46 therein is snap fit into position onto base 18. Closure element 48 will have previously been removed by first removing nut 52 from the threaded portion of closure element 48, and pole 54 with accessory structure 60 attached thereto can be lowered through opening 46 and positioned and supported within walled extension 26. This configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8.

Pole 54 can also be positioned within extension 26 with cap 36 or 36′ removed from base 18 and placed in the stored position shown in FIG. 13.

Embodiments of the invention provide for a unique fence/railing post cap system which is both decorative and utilitarian. When caps 36, 36′ are removed from base 18, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, beverage or other types of containers can be positioned within interior hollow space 24 in base 18 and will rest on bottom member 20. Because of the dimensions of base 18, typical beverage and other containers are large enough to rest on bottom 20 without falling into wall extension 26. However, pole 54 is dimensioned to fit within walled extension 26 and to fit through opening 46 in cap 36 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8.

A fence/railing post cap system 100 incorporating a mounting block 104 according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14-17. System 100 includes a mounting block 104 that can be manufactured from PVC, vinyl, wood, composites, and other materials consistent with its intended use as described herein. The mounting block 104 includes a main body portion 112 of substantially uniform width and a flange or ridge 114 extending outward from one end of the main body portion 112. The main body portion 112 and the flange 114 may collectively constitute a unitary or monolithic structure.

A first end of the mounting block 104 opposite the flange 114 has a first substantially planar surface 110. An opposite second end of the mounting block 104 associated with the flange 114 has a second substantially planar surface 116. An internal cavity 122 is centered in the mounting block 104 to extend continuously and uniformly in width from the first substantially planar surface 110 to the second substantially planar surface 116 through the main body portion 112.

The mounting block 104 is configured to be mounted in various configurations with respect to the post 14 and a stake or peg 102 received in the post 14. The post 14, such as a fence post, may be made of materials and have constructions as described above. The stake 102 may be made of wood, plastic (e.g., PVC), composite, fiberglass, etc., and is disposed within a hollow cavity 16 of the fence post 14.

A first configuration for mounting the mounting block 104 to the post 14 and the stake 102 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the stake 102 has a top surface 102 a recessed in the hollow cavity 16 below a terminal upper surface 103 of the fence post 14. Stated differently, the upper surface 103 of the fence post 14 extends beyond the upper surface 102 a of the stake 102. The main body portion 112 of the mounting block 104 is received in the hollow cavity 16 above the upper surface 102. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15, the first substantially planar surface 110 is spaced apart from the upper surface 102 a. Alternatively, the first substantially planar surface 110 may rest on the upper surface 102 a by selecting different dimensions for the cavity 16 (e.g., making the post 14 shorter or the stake 102 taller) and/or the height of the main body portion 112. The flange 114 contacts and rests on the upper surface 103 of the fence post 14 to prevent the mounting block 104 from being completely received within the hollow cavity 16. Specifically, the flange 114 has an engagement surface 118 that abuts the upper surface 103 of the fence post 14 so that the main body portion 112 is suspended from the upper surface 103. The flange 114 may be sized such that an outer or peripheral surface 120 of the flange 114 is substantially flush with the outer surface 14 a of the post 14. The flange engagement surface 118 is illustrated in FIG. 15 as substantially parallel to the first and second substantially planar surfaces 110, 116 and substantially perpendicular to the flange outer surface 120. Alternatively, the flange engagement surface 118 may be set at an oblique angle.

The base 18 of the post cap system 100 rests on top of the second substantially planar surface 116 of the mounting block 104. The leg members or skirt 32 extend downwardly from and are integrally formed with the base 18. The leg members 32 preferably extend downwardly at least as far as the first substantially planar surface 110 of the mounting block 104 to conceal fasteners 174 (discussed below) and the mounting block 104. The side walls 22 of the base 18 define the hollow interior space 24. The opening 30 in the bottom wall of the base 18 is centered relative to the hollow interior space 24. The opening 30 connects the hollow interior space 24 to the internal cavity 122. The opening 30 may have the same or a different diameter than the internal cavity 122. An object, such as a pole, glass, bottle, etc., may be inserted into the hollow interior space 24 and/or the opening 30 and mounting block internal cavity 122 as discussed above in connection with other embodiments of the invention.

To connect the system 100 of FIGS. 14 and 15 to the post 14 and the stake 102, the mounting block 104 is first placed in its mounting position as described above and is connected to the stake 102 via fasteners 174. The fasteners 174 penetrate through the sides of the post 14 into the stake 102. Holes may be pre-drilled or pre-formed in the post 14. The fasteners 174 may be mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails, bolts, etc. Alternatively, the fasteners may be a bonding material, such as adhesive, or a combination of mechanical fasteners and bonding material. One or multiple fasteners 174 may be inserted through opposite sides of the post 14 or all four sides of the post 14. Each mechanical fastener 174 perpendicularly penetrates the post 14 and into the main body portion 112 of the mounting block 104 to fixedly connect the post 14 to the mounting block 104. Alternatively but not shown, one or more fastening members may be inserted perpendicularly into the second substantially planar surface 116, so that the fasteners penetrate through the mounting block 104 and into the top surface 102 a of the stake 102.

The base 18 is then mounted on the second substantially planar surface 116. In an exemplary embodiment, fasteners 172 (which may be the same or different than the fasteners 174, e.g., mechanical fasteners and/or bonding material) are inserted through a bottom wall of the base 18 into the second substantially planar surface 116 of the mounting block 104 to secure the base 18 to the mounting block 104. Pre-drilled or pre-formed holes may be positioned in the bottom wall of the base 18 to receive the fasteners 174.

A second configuration for mounting the mounting block 104 of the fence/railing post cap system 100 to the post 114 and the stake 102 is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In FIGS. 16 and 17, the top surface 102 a of the stake 102 is preferably flush with the upper surface 103 of the fence post 14. Stated differently, the upper surface 103 of the fence post 14 preferably does not extend beyond the upper surface 102 a of the stake 102. Alternatively, or due to variances, the upper surface 103 may extend slightly above the stake upper surface 102 a, or the stake upper surface 102 a may extend slightly above the upper surface 103.

The mounting block 104 of the configuration of FIGS. 16 and 17 is inverted compared to the configuration of FIGS. 14 and 15. The second substantially planar surface 116 associated with the flange 114 rests on and abuts against the upper surface 102 a of the stake 102 and the flush upper surface 103 of the post 14 (unless the upper surfaces 102 a and 103 are not flush with one another). The flange 114 is directly over and abuts the upper surface 103. The main body portion 112 extends upwards so that the first substantially planar surface 110 is positioned to be the uppermost surface of the mounting block 104 in FIGS. 16 and 17. The flange 114 may be dimensioned so that the outer or peripheral surface 120 of the flange 114 is substantially flush with the outer surface 14 a of the post 14.

The base 18 of the post cap system 100 rests on top of the first substantially planar surface 110 of the mounting block 104 in FIGS. 16 and 17. Leg members or a skirt 32 extend downwardly from and are integrally formed with the base 18. The leg members 32 preferably extend downwardly at least as far as the second substantially planar surface 116 of the mounting block 104 to conceal the mounting block 104. The side walls 22 of the base 18 define the hollow interior space 24. The opening 30 in the bottom wall of the base 18 is centered relative to the hollow interior space 24. The opening 30 connects the hollow interior space 24 to the internal cavity 122 of the mounting block 104. The opening 30 may have the same or a different diameter than the internal cavity 122. An object, such as a pole, glass, bottle, etc., may be inserted into the hollow interior space 24 and/or the opening 30 and mounting block internal cavity 122 as discussed above in connection with other embodiments of the invention.

To connect the system 100 of FIGS. 16 and 17 to the post 14 and the stake 102, the mounting block 104 is first placed in its mounting position, which as noted above is inverted relative to the mounting position of FIGS. 14 and 15. The mounting block 104 is connected to the stake 102 via fasteners 174. The fasteners 174 are inserted into the first substantially planar surface 110 to penetrate through the mounting block body portion 112 into the upper surface 102 a of the stake 102. The fasteners 174 may be mechanical fasteners and/or a bonding material, as described above in connection with FIGS. 14 and 15. Pre-drilled or pre-formed holes may be provided to receive the mechanical fasteners 174.

The base 18 is then mounted on the first substantially planar surface 110. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more fasteners 172 (which may be the same or different than the fasteners 174, e.g., mechanical fasteners and/or bonding material) are coupled through a bottom wall of the base 18 (defining the opening 30) into the first substantially planar surface 110 of the mounting block 104 to secure the base 18 to the mounting block 104.

The above embodiments may be combined and modified with one another. For example, the embodiments of systems 100 of FIGS. 14-17 may be modified to include centrally located opening 46 and closure element 48, the projections 64 and post openings 62 shown in FIG. 6, the protuberances 42 and dimples 44 shown in FIG. 6, the ridges and grooves 66 and holding clips 68 of FIG. 7, as well as other features described herein.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence/railing post cap system for mounting onto a fence/railing post, the fence/railing post cap system, comprising: a mounting block configured to be connected to a stake received within a hollow cavity of a post, the mounting block including a main body portion, a flange extending from the main body portion, a first substantially planar surface opposite to the flange, and an opposite second substantially planar surface associated with the flange; and a base configured to receive and be connected to the mounting block to conceal the mounting block from view, the base including an accessible hollow interior space configured to accommodate reception of a beverage container or pole.
 2. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises leg members extending downward to conceal the mounting block from view.
 3. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 1, further comprising: a cap configured to be removably coupled to the base, wherein the cap includes a top and at least one rim extending normally down from the top, wherein a plurality of inwardly facing protuberances are formed on the at least one rim.
 4. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening members for penetrating into the first substantially planar surface of the mounting block through the main body portion and into an upper surface of the stake.
 5. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastening members for penetrating side walls of the post and into the stake.
 6. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 1, wherein the mounting block has an internal cavity arranged to communicate with the hollow interior space of the base.
 7. The fence/railing post cap of claim 6, wherein the base has an opening having a first diameter and the internal cavity of the mounting block has a second diameter that is equal to the first diameter.
 8. A fence/railing post cap system for mounting onto a fence/railing post, the fence/railing post cap system, comprising: a post having a cavity; a stake disposed within the cavity of the post; a mounting block configured to be connected to the stake received within the cavity of the post, the mounting block including a main body portion, a flange extending from the main body portion, a first substantially planar surface opposite to the flange, and a second substantially planar surface associated with the flange; and a base configured to receive and be connected to the mounting block to conceal the mounting block from view, the base including an accessible hollow interior space configured to accommodate reception of a beverage container or pole.
 9. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 8, wherein an upper surface of the stake is recessed below an upper surface of the post.
 10. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 9, wherein the flange is configured to rest on an upper surface of the post with the main body portion at least partially received in a portion of the cavity between the upper surface of the stake and the upper surface of the post.
 11. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of fastening members penetrating side walls of the post and into the stake.
 12. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 8, wherein an upper surface of the stake is substantially flush with an upper surface of the post.
 13. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 12, wherein the second substantially planar surface of the mounting block is configured to rest on the upper surfaces of the post and stake.
 14. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 13, wherein the flange has a peripheral surface that is flush with an outer surface of the post.
 15. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of fastening members penetrating the first substantially planar surface of the mounting block through the main body portion and into the upper surface of the stake.
 16. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 8, wherein the base further comprises leg members extending downward to conceal the mounting block from view.
 17. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 8, further comprising: a cap configured to be removably coupled to the base, wherein the cap includes a top and at least one rim extending normally down from the top, wherein a plurality of inwardly facing protuberances are formed on the at least one rim.
 18. The fence/railing post cap system of claim 8, wherein the mounting block has an internal cavity arranged to communicate with the hollow interior space of the base.
 19. The fence/railing post cap of claim 19, wherein the base has an opening having a first diameter and the internal cavity of the mounting block has a second diameter that is equal to the first diameter. 